You are a leader. I may be writing primarily to CEO’s and Entrepreneurs, but that statement is true for all Christians. You are a leader. The statement made previously, “we have been awarded responsibility [by God]” (see Life without walls (part three)), stirs our hearts to understand the gift. The Lord, by His choosing, has awarded us the gift of authority.

Due to corrupt understanding in the early church, Paul teaches the Body of Christ regarding gifts from the Lord, better known as spiritual gifts. Let’s take a look at Scripture:

Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be uninformed. ² You know that when you were pagans you were led astray to mute idols, however you were led. ³ Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says “Jesus is accursed!” and no one can say “Jesus is Lord” except in the Holy Spirit.

⁴ Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; ⁵ and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; ⁶ and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. ⁷ To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.

(1 Corinthians 12:1-7 ESV)

One could write an entire book centering on these seven verses. For now, let’s focus on verse seven. The point of verse seven is straight forward. You have a gift, and that gift is for the “common good”. In other words, authority is a gift for others, not for you.

As a leader (patriarch), this gift of authority is not designed to build self-confidence, but God-confidence. Your actions should point your family and your employees to the only source of confidence; God. (verse 6)

The most important work that a leader can do for the sake of those around him is to be converted; placing faith in Christ alone. The most important strategy for guiding those around him is to become a new man in Christ—whose hope and happiness and confidence are in God and not in himself.

Leaders, what you ARE in relation to God is far more important than any particular management/parenting technique you try to employ. Will your people hope in God if you hope in money? Will your people be happy in God if they see that anything in your life is a happier experience for you than worship? Will your people be confident in God if your whole demeanor communicates the desire to be seen as self-confident?

There is a peculiar role that the Scripture gives to leaders, husbands and fathers. Fathers bear a special responsibility for the moral life of the family. Leaders bear the same for their employees. So I urge you to take that responsibility, leaders, and that you be the kind of man who gives hope and happiness and confidence to those around you because you yourself have found your hope and your happiness and your confidence in God.